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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find Andy Burnham’s sudden rise to the top odd?

391 replies

GarlicBiscuits · 29/06/2026 19:32

A few weeks ago, I’d never heard of this man. A few weeks ago, he wasn’t even an MP.

Yet suddenly, he’s everywhere and going to be our next prime minister? What qualifies him for this role? It seems that all the Labour MPs love him. Why?

The whole situation is very odd to me… I’m not sure it’ll do Labour any favors at all.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
patooties · 29/06/2026 23:51

Why are people pretending Andy Burnham is some kind of far left loon?

He isn’t even the pm yet. I’m embarrassed for you guys. We cannot have another death by media

bittertwisted · 29/06/2026 23:54

Dameputtingonabraveface · 29/06/2026 23:49

@bittertwisted, 'up north' is a significant part, if not the majority of the electorate who have been ignored and bloody had to put up with London centric policies for decades. Many cities and towns up here are now thriving and rebuilding despite the absolute devastation caused by the Thatcher government that destroyed entire communities. Also, many tend to forget, the industrial revolution, subsequent wealth and prosperity that certain people still think makes the UK great, all happened up here in the north. We also have amazing, diverse and multi-cultral cities because following WW2 the UK asked people to move here from the British Empire to support industry.

I am from ‘up north’, the same city as Andy Burnham
the post i am quoting suggests being from up north is a negative

Warrensofthem · 29/06/2026 23:57

I’m surprised anyone hasn’t really heard of him, given that he was so high profile during the COVID lockdown ? He was constantly on the news and in the papers.

JazzyAmbs · 29/06/2026 23:58

He’s well known, but it basically shows they have no one else left if no one challenges him. Everyone else is hated or incompetent or both. He’s got a popular image but won’t after this job.

Dameputtingonabraveface · 30/06/2026 00:01

@patooties the narrative is continued. Since day one, Keir Starmer was destroyed by the mainstream (right wing) and held to totally different standards than the previous car crash government. Let's hope our politically aware young people are now coming to an age to vote and make themselves heard. They have inherited an absolute shitshow and have been denied the privileges afforded to to those who voted to limit their future.

Dameputtingonabraveface · 30/06/2026 00:04

@bittertwisted apologies, I replied to the wrong post. Being 'up north' is definitely not a negative!

Latenightreader · 30/06/2026 00:09

TheGrimSmile · 29/06/2026 20:25

You'd never heard of him?!?! OP, where have you been loving for the past decade?

Clearly not in the North West!

mercia82 · 30/06/2026 00:13

I cannot stand the man, he’s from my area and he is so smug and looks down on his “lessers”

Clafoutie · 30/06/2026 00:42

It’s a bit puzzling not to have heard of him, but otherwise I agree that if he is simply made PM without any sort of contest or scrutiny, having only just become an MP, it feels odd. Then again, somehow Liz Truss happened…

PeakSheep · 30/06/2026 00:54

If you didn't see Andy Burnham all over the news fighting for Manchester during the covid lockdowns then where were you?
He was on the news every day for about a year.

It doesn't make him great though. He's still a genocide supporter.

Giraffehaver · 30/06/2026 00:58

OMG how short are people's memories? For 14 years the Tories dismantled this country bit by bit, behaved despicably during Covid and made us a laughing stock with their revolving door policy for PMs.
We need a radical change. Is Andy Burnham it? I don't know but let's see what he's about without all the silly scaremongering

Treviarpelli · 30/06/2026 01:31

I've been aware of him for years and years. He was in Tony Blair’s era. Maybey awareness is because I’m Northern?
I get the sense that Londoners are a bit shocked and scared

Pearlyb · 30/06/2026 02:00

Treviarpelli · 30/06/2026 01:31

I've been aware of him for years and years. He was in Tony Blair’s era. Maybey awareness is because I’m Northern?
I get the sense that Londoners are a bit shocked and scared

I'm from / in London, and definitely not shocked or scared. I've been rooting for him for years! And no I'm not sure how OP hasn't heard of him up until now 😳

Nat6999 · 30/06/2026 02:14

He was responsible for the Hillsborough Disaster families getting the Independent Panel report & the reopening of the inquests which led to the verdicts of Ulawful Killed being given. Without him the case would never have been reopened. He was the person who brought up the need for Hillsborough Law which would mean all authorities involved in any disaster would have a duty of candour.

AlgaeDreams · 30/06/2026 02:18

GoneWithTHeWindJammers · 29/06/2026 23:09

I voted for a Labour Party led by Starmer. I didn't vote for a Labour Party led by someone from up North that I hadn't heard of at the GE.

You voted for whoever your local MP was.

AlgaeDreams · 30/06/2026 02:22

I've always thought he's come across well. He's always seemed like a people person, speaks up, stands up and gets the job done.

I'm not a northerner.

Much prefer him to Starmer.

He's a very naughty boy 😂

CloudyWithAChanceOfCustard · 30/06/2026 05:49

That’s some HUGE fucking rock you’ve been living under OP?

He’s had massive, highly publicised, success as Mayor of Manchester for YEARS!

This one’s on you! 🤦‍♀️🤯

Neurodiversitydoctor · 30/06/2026 05:54

WhatFreshHelll · 29/06/2026 20:08

We really don't need anyone else to prove how dreadful they have been to us.
It's terrifying to think of how much damage this man may do on top of the rest.
I'm just above nmw btw and in a vulnerable position so they should be speaking to me and reassuring me.
What would have helped me would have been to raise the thresholds. Instead they said no because those at the top would gain more benefit than those at the bottom .
They put my job at risk with the huge ni burden they have placed on my employer and stymied any hopes of any decent pay rises we have had 1.4 % this year.
Their other policies are putting my very job at risk

Show quote history

Do you work in Hospitality ?

CloudyWithAChanceOfCustard · 30/06/2026 05:55

Clafoutie · 30/06/2026 00:42

It’s a bit puzzling not to have heard of him, but otherwise I agree that if he is simply made PM without any sort of contest or scrutiny, having only just become an MP, it feels odd. Then again, somehow Liz Truss happened…

He’s not ‘only just become an MP’ though! He was an MP for almost 20 years, and a cabinet minister…he’s hardly unqualified for the job ffs!

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 06:00

Okiedokie123 · 29/06/2026 19:34

Yabu. He’s been tipped as a likely future PM for years.

Has he, really?

When/where?

tttigress · 30/06/2026 06:05

I think it is a big mistake that he is likely to become prime minister without an internal Labour election, so he can clearly define his policies.

If things start to go wrong, his path to the top will definitely be bought up as a negative.

Bullandbear · 30/06/2026 06:12

tttigress · 30/06/2026 06:05

I think it is a big mistake that he is likely to become prime minister without an internal Labour election, so he can clearly define his policies.

If things start to go wrong, his path to the top will definitely be bought up as a negative.

Things are currently as good as they will ever be for Burnham.

It’s all downhill from here (as we know).

amargaritaplease · 30/06/2026 06:13

NoArmaniNoPunani · 29/06/2026 19:37

My 10 yo son was talking to me about him. You are less politically aware than a 10yo.

How unpleasantly condescending

Fast800goingforit · 30/06/2026 06:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BIossomtoes · 30/06/2026 06:25

JazzyAmbs · 29/06/2026 23:58

He’s well known, but it basically shows they have no one else left if no one challenges him. Everyone else is hated or incompetent or both. He’s got a popular image but won’t after this job.

No it doesn’t. It shows pragmatism. He’s the best for the job, the parliamentary party wants him and they’re not going to waste time with a contest that’s a forgone conclusion.